What Mookie wants, Mookie gets.
Mookie Betts, the Dodgers outfielder who was shockingly traded from Boston to Los Angeles along with David Price for salary relief and a trio of prospects this offseason, will presumably end his career in Dodger blue. On July 22, the eve of Opening Day, the Dodgers hit the first home run of the season, inking Betts to a massive 12-year, $365 million contract extension.
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While it's unsurprising that the Dodgers had the cash to burn, it's something of a change for Dodgers front office head man Andrew Friedman, who traditionally isn't a big spender in free agency.
Here's what you need to know about Betts' deal:
Mookie Betts contract
Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, Betts and the Dodgers agreed to a 12-year, $365 million pact, keeping him on the West Coast presumably through the end of his career. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that Betts' deal contains deferrals and a $65 million signing bonus.
More on Betts contract with Dodgers, per source: $115M of $365 million is deferred. Deal does not include opt-outs or a no-trade clause. But if Betts is traded, deferrals in subsequent years will be converted into present-day dollars, creating greater financial value.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 22, 2020
Also to clarify on signing bonus: More accurate to say that bonus money offers tax benefits that salary does not. It’s complicated… https://t.co/WvgfnbcoDg
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 22, 2020
Betts' deal eclipses the 13-year, $330 million contract Bryce Harper signed with the Phillies last offseason and the big-money extension signed by the Angels' Mike Trout last year.
The new money for Betts is technically more than the new money in Mike Trout’s extension, which was $360M/10 years. Trout’s total value, including the two years remaining on his previous deal, was $426.5M/12 years. Betts signed through age 39 season, Trout through age 38. https://t.co/PlylbvoysM
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 22, 2020
Mookie Betts contract analysis
The Dodgers long have been known for their big-spending ways, but the free-agent market had lain dormant for them in recent years. While they've been OK with spending money on players who were already on the books, they haven't dipped their toes deep into the open market over that time.
Then again, LA hasn't really had to spend big bucks. It has leaned on a ton of younger talent the past few years, meaning that its big-time salary commitments will be next to none in the coming years. The club still owes big money to some players in the short term — Clayton Kershaw, Justin Turner, Kenley Jansen, A.J. Pollock and Price — but it will be able to lean on their farm system again starting around 2022.
From Betts' perspective, he has earned every bit of this contract: He's a top-three player in baseball when healthy, an elite defender and a one-time MVP. The Dodgers are showing the faith in him that Boston didn't want to, offer or no offer.
